Orthopedic interface

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to an orthopedic interface ( 1 ) comprising a planar 3D textile ( 2 ) having a top ( 22 ) and a bottom ( 21 ), which are held at a distance from each other by supporting threads ( 24 ) and are connected to each other, wherein the bottom ( 21 ) of the spaced knitted fabric ( 2 ) is configured for resting on the skin of an interface user. The side of the bottom ( 21 ) facing the skin is provided with an adhesive coaling ( 23 ) at least in some regions.

The invention relates to an orthopedic interface comprising a planar 3Dtextile with a top and a bottom that are held at a distance from eachother by supporting threads and connected to each other, the bottom ofthe 3D textile being designed to bear on the skin of an interface user,and a system composed of an orthopedic interface and of an orthotic orprosthetic device.

DE 102 19 814 B4 discloses a physiological sleeve which is designed tobe applied to a human limb and which, when being worn, is stretched andadapted to the body shape. At a defined pressure, the applied sleevecompresses the muscle tissue, said sleeve being made of a spaced knittedfabric with elastic threads. By applying the sleeve, an increased flowof blood through the muscle tissue is achieved at a state of rest. Thesleeve serves to improve the fitness of the wearer and not as anorthopedic interface.

The prior art also discloses liners made of silicone or of a copolymer,which are worn over an amputation stump in order to produce a cushionedand airtight coupling between an amputation stump and a prosthesissocket. Liners are also known that are made of polyurethane and that areworn directly on the skin of the interface user.

The object of the present invention is to make available an orthopedicinterface and a system composed of an interface and of an orthotic orprosthetic device, with which it is possible to provide greater ease ofuse and a higher level of comfort.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by an orthopedicinterface having the features of claim 1 and by a system having thefeatures of claim 19.

Advantageous embodiments and developments of the inventions are setforth in the dependent claims.

The orthopedic interface according to the invention, comprising a planar3D textile with a top and a bottom that are held at a distance from eachother by supporting threads and connected to each other, the bottom ofthe 3D textile being designed to bear on the skin of an interface user,is characterized in that the surface or side of the bottom facing theskin is provided at least partially with an adhesive coating, that is tosay a coating that adheres to the skin, in order to ensure theorientation of the orthopedic interface with respect to the body part,for example an amputation stump or a limb that is to be supported by anorthosis. The 3D textile provides improved comfort by distributingpunctiform pressure forces. Moreover, 3D textiles are able to breatheand permit a natural exchange of liquid via the skin.

The invention also proposes that the outer face of the orthopedicinterface, that is to say the surface of the top, is provided at leastpartially with a coating that promotes increased adherence on theorthopedic interface. The coating or coatings can be composed, forexample, of silicone, polyurethane or a copolymer, thus resulting inimproved adhesion to the skin and also to other orthopedic components,such as orthoses or prostheses. The coating can also be electricallyconductive, in order to stimulate the skin surface, to carry offpotentials, or to forward signals, for example on the outer face of the3D textile. The signals can be transmitted, for example, to sensors orevaluation devices.

The coating or coatings can be applied in areas set apart from eachother on the respective surfaces of the top and/or bottom, for examplein the shape of strips, dots, rings, or in other planar shapes. It islikewise possible for a corresponding coating to be applied to thesurfaces only in particularly stressed areas of the orthopedicinterface, whereas less stressed areas are not provided with a coating.This increases the level of comfort and improves the exchange of heatand of moisture from the skin through the interface to the environment.Alternatively, the coating or coatings are applied over the wholesurface in order to ensure a maximum hold of the interface. The coatingcan be moisture-permeable in order to maintain an exchange of moisture.The coating materials are accordingly chosen for this purpose, forexample in the form of polyurethane or of a copolymer. Large areas ofthe coatings can likewise be provided with perforations in order toallow air and water to pass through. Even in the case of the wholesurface being coated, it is possible to permit an exchange of gas andmoisture, for example since thin silicone coatings have been found to beable to breathe. Additional thermal insulation is afforded by the layerof air located between the top and bottom in the 3D textile.

The processed threads of the 3D textile can also be coated separately,in order to meet special requirements of the textile. The coatings canprovide improved skin compatibility or improved transport of moisture,in order thereby to further increase the comfort of the interface.

To improve the skin compatibility, the coating of the threads or of theinterface can be soaked with an antibacterial agent, and it is likewisepossible for silver threads to be woven or spun into the bottom or the3D textile in order to improve the skin compatibility. It is alsopossible for silver to be vapor-deposited onto, or for silver ions to beadded to, the 3D textile or the coating or coatings.

Instead of or in addition to an adhesive coating, the top, that is tosay the outer surface of the orthopedic interface, can be provided witha structure that has less resistance in the direction of insertion ofthe interface than counter to the direction of insertion. The structurecan be designed or applied as a nap velour by way of which a coupling toan orthopedic component, for example an outer socket or an orthosisholder, can be established. For this purpose, the textile or thestructure or coating is inclined in one direction to make it easier toslide into the receiving device for the limb, while effectivelypreventing slipping out. To release the coupling between the interfaceand the orthopedic component, the holder is released, for example bentout or folded open.

The orthopedic interface can be designed as a liner for bearing on anamputation stump, and it is likewise possible for it to be designed as aflexible socket or as a flexible socket part and have receiving meansfor orthotic or prosthetic components.

To make the orthopedic interface easier to apply, it is preferablyanatomically preshaped, and it can likewise have an open cross sectionand be applied using closing devices, such as velcro closures or thelike.

The 3D textile is preferably designed as a spaced knitted fabric. Thetop of the spaced knitted fabric preferably has an upper textile and thebottom, that is to say the surface directed toward the skin of theinterface user, has a so-called lower textile. The upper and lowertextiles form the ends of the spaced knitted fabric and the contactfaces with respect to the orthosis or prosthesis and to the skin.

In a development of the invention, electrodes are applied to the innersurface of the interface or are worked into the 3D textile, in order tocarry off muscle signals or nerve signals or to stimulate muscles ornerves. The electrodes can be applied in various ways, i.e. embroidered,sewn, adhesively bonded or welded.

The system according to the invention is composed of an interface, ofthe kind described above, and of an orthotic or prosthetic devicecoupled thereto, which device can be secured to the upper textile orouter surface of the interface by coupling means. The orthotic orprosthetic device can have a substantially dimensionally stable receiverwith an inner coating, which coating can be composed of an adhesivematerial, for example silicone, polyurethane or copolymer or anothercoating, for example velcro closure elements or a nap velour, in orderto achieve a coupling of the dimensionally stable receiver to theinterface. Alternatively or in addition, the surface of the receiverdirected toward the interface can have a structure that has lowresistance to insertion and a high resistance counter to the directionof insertion. The structure can be composed of suitably orientedform-fit elements or the like.

Illustrative embodiments of the invention are explained in more detailbelow with reference to the attached figures, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an interface in the form of a liner;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective partial view of a prosthetic device;

FIG. 3 shows a prosthetic device according to FIG. 2 with interface;

FIG. 4 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view through an interface and areceiver; and

FIG. 5 shows a partially sectioned view of an alternative embodimentwith electrodes.

FIG. 1 is a perspective and schematic view of an orthopedic interface 1in the form of a liner, which is anatomically preshaped to be applied toan amputation stump. The orthopedic interface 1 is made from a 3Dtextile, in the present case in the form of a spaced knitted fabric 2,composed of a bottom 21, which faces the skin of the interface user andis made of a lower textile, and with an upper textile on the top 22facing away from the skin, between which supporting threads 24 arearranged that hold the upper and lower textiles 22, 21 at a distancefrom each other and connect them. If no upper textiles are present inthe 3D textile, the respective top and bottom are labeled by referencesigns 22, 21, such that the upper and lower textiles 22, 21 thuscorrespond to the top and bottom. Between the upper and lower textiles22, 21, the supporting threads 24 form a well-ventilated space. Other 3Dtextiles, for example spaced knitted fabrics without lower and uppertextiles or with only one lower or upper textile, can also be used. Theinterface 1 can be produced from a blank by sewing. It is likewisepossible to connect the blank in another way, for example by adhesivebonding or welding.

On the inner surface of the interface 1, areas with an adhesive coating23 are applied that adhere to the skin of the interface user, forexample to an amputation stump. These coatings 23 can be in the shape oflines, dots, circles or squares. It is also possible in principle forthe whole of the inner surface of the liner, i.e. the surface of thelower textile 21, to be provided with a coating 23. When the coating isapplied only in some areas, improved transport of moisture from the skinof the user to the environment is obtained, thereby ensuring enhancedcomfort, whereas a complete coating 23 of the surface provides improvedadherence on account of the increased adhesion surface.

Coatings 23 that can be used are in particular silicone coatings,polyurethane coatings, or coatings made of a copolymer, although it isin principle also possible to provide other coatings that bring aboutimproved adhesion of the lower textile 21, and thus of the 3D textile 1,to the surface of the skin.

A coating 23 can also be provided on the upper textile 22, i.e. on theouter surface of the liner or of the orthopedic interface. This coatingcan likewise be made of an adhesive material, the outer surface of theliner or of the interface 1 thus being provided with a coating that ischosen with respect to an orthopedic component arranged around it, forexample a prosthesis socket or an orthotic holder. This also ensuresimproved adherence of the spaced knitted fabric 2 to the outercomponent. Elements with an interlocking action, for example nap veloursor velcro areas, can also be arranged or formed on the upper textile 22.

Instead of a closed cross section, as shown in FIG. 1, the interface 1can also have an open cross section, and a partially closed andpartially open cross section can also be provided. It is also possiblefor closure devices to be arranged on the interface 1 so as to permitopening and closing and thus make the interface 1 easier to apply andremove.

FIG. 2 shows a holder 3 of a prosthesis, with a connecting branch 4 thatconnects the holder 3 to a joint device. The holder 3 has a tube-like,curved receiver part 30 with an open cross section and made of anelastic, stable plastic, with an outer surface 32 and an inner surface31. On the inner surface 31 of the holder 3, there are coating areas 33that are either made of an adhesive material or of a nap velour. It islikewise possible to provide several coatings 33 of different types. Inprinciple, the whole of the inner surface 31 of the holder 3 can also beprovided with a coating. The inner surface of the holder 3 can also beprovided with alternative structures that offer less resistance in thedirection of insertion of the interface than counter to the direction ofinsertion, for example suitably shaped form-fit elements that engage incorrespondingly shaped structures in the interface.

FIG. 3 shows the holder 3 with the connecting branch 4 in engagementwith the orthopedic interface 1. In the embodiment shown, the coating 33of the holder 3 is designed as a nap velour and is oriented such thatthe orthopedic interface 1, configured as a liner for an amputationstump, can be inserted from above. The nap of the nap velour 33 isinclined downward, such that the orthopedic interface 1 can easily slideinto the holder 3 but cannot slip out or cannot easily slip out. Torelease the orthopedic interface 1 from the holder 3, the latter is bentoutward. The open cross section of the holder 3 can be bridged by strapsor tensioning means in order to provide radial compression andstability. The partially open structure of the orthopedic interface 1can likewise be bridged by closure devices.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged detail showing how the holder 3 interacts with thespaced knitted fabric 2 of the orthopedic interface 1. On the innersurface of the orthopedic interface 1, i.e. on the lower textile 21,there is an adhesive coating 23, for example of copolymer or silicone.The coating 23 applied is oriented in the longitudinal direction andpermits a stable relationship of the surface of the skin to theinterface 1. An air cushion and elastic padding are provided by thesupporting threads 24. No coating is provided on the outer surface ofthe interface 1, i.e. on the upper textile 22, and coupling to theholder 3 is instead achieved by the nap velour 33, which is oriented insuch a way that the orthopedic interface 1 can be inserted downward fromthe top, whereas pulling it out in the upward direction is madedifficult or impossible.

The orthopedic interface 1 can also be used as a flexible socket orflexible socket part, and a suitable inner coating can also be providedfor stockings or other support functions between a body part and anexternal device or an item of clothing or a functional unit, in order toensure a uniform distribution of pressure over a large surface area ofthe body part with precise allocation and a high degree of comfort.

It has been surprisingly found that, despite the layer of air betweenthe top and bottom, a good coupling of the orthopedic device, such asorthosis or prosthesis, and the interface user can be achieved, whichwas not previously considered possible. A 3D textile without an adhesivecoating on the surface facing the skin can also be used as an orthopedicinterface and provides a surprisingly high degree of comfort andsecurity.

FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention in which theorthopedic interface 1 is seen in a partial cross section. The structureof the 3D textile 2 corresponds to the one in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, althoughthe coatings that can be present on the inner or outer surfaces 21, 22are not shown. Inside the orthopedic interface there are two electrodes5 that are able to transmit data to an evaluation unit (not shown) viaelectrical connecting means 6. It is likewise possible to provide forwireless transmission of data from the electrodes 5. The electrodes 5are arranged on the inner surface 21 of the spaced knitted fabric 2 andcan be sewn, adhesively bonded, welded or otherwise secured thereon.Surface potentials are carried away via these electrodes 5, such that,for example, a prosthesis can be controlled via myoelectric signals. Itis likewise possible for the electrodes 5 to be integrated inside thespaced knitted fabric 2, such that only the contact surfaces of theelectrodes 5 with the skin surface protrude from the inner surface 21 ofthe 3D textile 2. The electrical connecting means 6 can be routedthrough recesses within the 3D textile 2 which is designed, for example,as a spaced knitted fabric. It is also possible to secure the electrodesby cutting a window out of the spaced knitted fabric 2 and placing theelectrode into the window.

1. An orthopedic interface for an orthotic or prosthetic device,comprising: a three dimensional (3D) textile with an outer surface andan inner surface wherein each of said outer surface and said innersurface are textiles and wherein a layer of air is positioned betweensaid textiles of said outer surface and said inner surface; supportingthreads, wherein said outer surface and said inner surface of said 3Dtextile are held at a distance from each other and connected to eachother by said supporting threads; and an electrically conductive coatingprovided at least partially on said inner surface of said 3D textileconfigured to bear on skin of an interface user.
 2. The orthopedicinterface as claimed in claim 1, wherein said outer surface isconfigured to face away from the skin of said interface user, andwherein said outer surface is at least partially covered with saidcoating.
 3. The orthopedic interface as claimed in claim 1, wherein thecoating is composed of a material selected from the group consisting ofsilicone, polyurethane and a copolymer.
 4. The orthopedic interface asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive coating isadhesive.
 5. The orthopedic interface as claimed in claim 1, wherein thecoating is applied in multiple areas which are set apart from oneanother.
 6. The orthopedic interface as claimed in claim 1, wherein thecoating is applied over said inner surface in said inner surface'sentirety.
 7. The orthopedic interface as claimed in claim 1, wherein thecoating is has a property selected from the group consisting ofair-permeable and moisture-permeable.
 8. The orthopedic interface asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the threads of the 3D textile are at leastpartially coated.
 9. The orthopedic interface as claimed in claim 1,wherein silver threads are woven or spun into the 3D textile.
 10. Theorthopedic interface as claimed in claim 1, wherein said orthopedicinterface has a top and bottom and wherein the outer surface of the 3Dtextile has a structure that has which is oriented to have lessresistance in a direction of insertion of the interface from the top tothe bottom, than counter to the direction of insertion.
 11. Theorthopedic interface as claimed in claim 10, wherein said structure is anap velour.
 12. The orthopedic interface as claimed in claim 1, whereinsaid 3D textile is configured as a liner for bearing on an amputationstump.
 13. The orthopedic interface as claimed in claim 1, wherein said3D textile is configured as a flexible socket or as a flexible socketpart with receiving means for orthotic or prosthetic components.
 14. Theorthopedic interface as claimed in claim 1, wherein said 3D textile isanatomically preshaped.
 15. The orthopedic interface as claimed in claim1, wherein the 3D textile is a spaced knitted fabric.
 16. (canceled) 17.An orthopedic interface for an orthotic or prosthetic device,comprising: a three dimensional (3D) textile with an outer surface andan inner surface wherein each of said outer surface and said innersurface are textiles and wherein a layer of air is positioned betweensaid textiles of said outer surface and said inner surface; supportingthreads, wherein said outer surface and said inner surface of said 3Dtextile are held at a distance from each other and connected to eachother by said supporting threads; a coating provided at least partiallyon said inner surface of said 3D textile configured to bear on skin ofan interface user; and electrodes applied to the inner surface or workedinto the 3D textile.
 18. The orthopedic interface as claimed in claim 1,wherein at least one of the 3D textile and the coating areantibacterial.
 19. A system comprising: an orthopedic interface having athree dimensional (3D) textile with an outer surface and an innersurface wherein each of said outer surface and said inner surface aretextiles and wherein a layer of air is positioned between said textilesof said outer surface and said inner surface; supporting threads,wherein said outer surface and said inner surface of said 3D textile areheld at a distance from each other and connected to each other by saidsupporting threads; an electrically conductive coating provided at leastpartially on said inner surface of said 3D textile configured to bear onskin of a user; and an orthotic or prosthetic device.
 20. The system asclaimed in claim 19, wherein the prosthetic or orthotic device has adimensionally stable receiver for receiving said orthopedic interface,wherein at least one of said outer surface of said 3D textile and aninside surface of said dimensionally stable receiver has a structurethat has less resistance in a direction of insertion of the interfaceinto the orthotic or prosthetic device than counter to the direction ofinsertion.
 21. The system as claimed in claim 20, wherein the structureis a nap velour.
 22. The system as claimed in claim 19, wherein saidstructure is on said inside surface of said receiver.
 23. The system asclaimed in claim 19, wherein said structure is on said outer surface ofsaid 3D textile.
 24. The orthopedic interface as claimed in claim 17,wherein the coating is an adhesive coating or an electrically conductivecoating.
 25. A system comprising: an orthopedic interface having a threedimensional (3D) textile with an outer surface and an inner surfacewherein each of said outer surface and said inner surface are textilesand wherein a layer of air is positioned between said textiles of saidouter surface and said inner surface; supporting threads, wherein saidouter surface and said inner surface of said 3D textile are held at adistance from each other and connected to each other by said supportingthreads; a coating provided at least partially on said inner surface ofsaid 3D textile configured to bear on skin of a user; an orthotic orprosthetic device; and electrodes applied to the inner surface or workedinto the 3D textile.